Morena Forza Children's Illustrator

Illustration Friday: Highlight

2011-12-30T12:28:00.000-08:00

This is my illustration for Illustration Friday: HIGHLIGHT

I love using highlights and I've chosen one of my Rapunzel illustrations :)

My Hansel and Gretel Book is finished: the best images!

2011-12-26T11:03:00.000-08:00

Here you can find some of my best images from my Hansel and Gretel book, it's going to be released in a few days by LisbonLabs - BedTimeStories App.

>>>SEE ALL THE BEST IMAGES HERE. <<<

Happy Holidays!!!

2011-12-26T09:26:00.000-08:00

and these are the gift I made to myself XDDD
I always wear Ugg so I thought to buy a pair for home,aren't they SUPER CUTE?!

My illustration has been selected for Tapirulan Catalogue and Exhibit2012

2011-12-22T06:11:00.000-08:00

ENG
I've been selected for Tapirulan Catalogue 2012 (Theme: Privacy)
The title of my illustration is "Give me a Bush" ("A me un cespuglio") , here you can find more details about this illustration because there is a story behind it. A story about love and affection.
Now that I'm losing my other dog this catalogue is a gentle whisper on my heart. :)
Love never dies :)

The illustration is exhibited in Cremona (december 3d- january 29)

Pics of the catalogue:
1 ... 2

ITA

Stamattina sono stata svegliata ricevendo il catalogo Tapirulan 2012 con tema annuale "Privacy"
Il titolo della mia illustrazione è "A me un cespuglio", il perchè lo trovate in questo post dove spiegavo la storia dietro questa illustrazione, una storia d'amore e di affetto.
Ora che sto perdendo il mio secondo cane, ricevere questo catalogo è un soffio di leggerezza.
L'amore non muore mai :)

Immagini del catalogo:
1 ... 2

Illustration Friday - Round

2011-11-25T08:45:00.000-08:00

Illustration Friday weekly theme: ROUND (BUBBLES :) )

exclusive image (detail) from a top secret project I'm working on... stay tuned!!! ;D

An ugly drawing before for a beautiful drawing later (ENG-ITA)

2011-11-22T10:20:00.000-08:00

One of my biggest mistake of the past was wanting a perfect sketch / first drawing. I couldn't accept an ugly drawing and that was the cause of a big frustration!
Later I learnt to accept how precious an ugly sketch/doodle can be.
I don't pay any attention to the perfection, I just speak to myself to know what I want to express in the illustration...

Uno degli sbagli più grossi per cui perdevo tempo era volere a tutti i costi uno schizzo pulito e già bello dal primo momento in cui lo disegnavo.

Con il passare del tempo ho capito quante ore preziose sprecavo dietro questa fase che in realtà dovrebbe essere primitiva e istintiva. Non riuscivo ad accettare un brutto disegno, ma ho imparato che è necessario per un bel disegno dopo!
Quindi nella fase di schizzo non presto alcuna attenzione alla pulizia del disegno o ai dettagli: mi interessa solamente concentrarmi sulla figura e su come esprimere il sentimento che si deve evincere dalla scena.

SKETCH - THE UGLY DRAWING
Schizzo - il brutto disegno

The father in "Hansel and Gretel" is desperate because he promised her wife to leave the children in the forest.
The most important thing was to create a feeling of loneliness and desperation and drawing an extremely poor house.
So the figure is the most important thing and I don't pay too much attention in all the details. This is very very helpful when you need to create a scene.
You catch the mood, not the details.

Il padre in "Hansel e Gretel" è disperato perchè ha promesso alla moglie di lasciare i bambini nella foresta l'indomani.

La cosa più importante per me qui, era creare un'atmosfera di disperazione e solitudine dell'uomo, e far capire quanto povera è la casa dove i due fratellini vivono.

Ho quindi creato solo l'atmosfera,la situazione, non i dettagli.

Tra l'altro l'unico a cui avevo pensato era un topo che sbucava sulla destra ma l'ho poi rimosso perchè non mi piaceva nel risultato finale.

THE FINAL IMAGE

The final image is precise and accurate, I play with filters,textures and colors to build the right mood..that's it! :)

L'immagine finale è precisa e accurata, gioco coi filtri, le texture e i colori per costruire tutta la giusta atmosfera..ecco qui! :)

Hansel and Gretel - Cover!

2011-11-17T10:33:00.000-08:00

A very vintage look for my new book! ;)
soon on BedTimeStories App (LisbonLabs) for Apple and Android!

Hansel and Gretel - Color experiment

2011-11-15T12:57:00.000-08:00

There's a color I totally hate.
Brown.
I hate it on clothing and accessories and I hate using it in my illustrations.
But after a little try on my most recent book:
click here

I decided to try some vintage atmospheres and brown is quite important in this choice.

I'm satisfied with the final product :D
a '50's feeling...yay!

"On the borders of a dark forest, far away,
there once lived two little children called Hansel and Gretel."

before the final result though, I've tried a brown sky to experiment a dark moment of the day...and I like it!
So I guess the problem is not brown itself but the colors I use with it.
I like it very much with vibrant colors!
Chocolat is the first inspiration for this book... quite clear ;)

Hansel and Gretel character design- From studies to the final image

2011-11-14T03:42:00.000-08:00

I'm working on Hansel and Gretel and I choose warm colors and a different character design with little eyes and longer figures.

What I have before:
Books and authors to study for some different interpretations...
The right color tones
The right SOUNDTRACK!
I choose "Chocolat" , "Peter Pan" (not Disney) , "Coraline" for this book. Soundtracks are real PALETTES for me!

Doodles and studies - Schizzi e studi

in this part of the work I try to know my characters. In the story, Hansel is a very protective brother so even if several illustrators saw the two children as two twins, I decided to draw him taller (and older) than Gretel so she looks cuter and he looks wiser :)
I often try to imagine different situations to test different behaviours and facial expressions. I must know how the characters behave in the several scenes of the book!

ITA
In questa parte del lavoro cerco di conoscere i personaggi. Nella storia, Hansel è un fratello molto protettivo quindi anche se molti illustratori hanno visto e vedono i due bambini come due gemelli, io ho deciso di disegnare Hansel più alto (e quindi più grande,un fratello maggiore) così Gretel è più piccolina e carina e lui sembra più saggio.
Cerco di immaginare i personaggi in situazioni diverse per testare vari comportamenti ed espressioni. Devo sapere come i personaggi si comportano nelle diverse scene del libro!

Starting vectors... - Parto col vettoriale

In this moment I usually feel depressed because I'm losing the essence of the character. Unless you love the total-graphic style, you will miss the freshness of the sketch...which is unique.
I always think that the soul of the drawing is in the sketch. I try to find it again in the final part of the illustration, with textures and patterns and the right lights and shadows.
In this step I start with a pre made palette and I always try to choose the colors thinking that they will change after the other steps. So I don't start with the final colors I want for the book.
ITA
In questo momento mi sento spesso depressa perchè sento che si è persa l'essenza del personaggio. A meno che non ami lo stile totalmente grafico, ti mancherà la freschezza dello schizzo, perchè è unica.
Penso sempre che la vera anima del disegno sia nello schizzo. Io cerco di ritrovarla nella parte finale del mio lavoro, con le textures, i pattern e le giuste luci e ombre.
In questa fase parto con una palette colori già pronta,diciamo base che uso per gran parte dei miei disegni, tenendo conto che cambieranno estremamente dopo le varie lavorazioni. Quindi NON parto già coi colori che vorrei per il libro.

Finished vector image - Il vettore finito

I usually feel satisfied after the character look like I want!!! :)
And that's why I don't give up when I start with the vector step...I know that it cannot look great in a first moment. Patience is the only way when you illustrate.
And to be honest, illustration is the only part of my life where I can be extremely patient.

ITA
Di solito alla fine di questa fase sono soddisfatta perchè i personaggi hanno preso la forma più vicina a quella che mi ero immaginata ideandoli! :)
Ed è perchè cerco di non scoraggiarmi quando inizio la fase vettoriale. So che in quel momento il disegno non sembra granchè (anzi sbuffo il 90% delle volte). La pazienza è l'unica via per illustrare.
Anzi sinceramente l'illustrazione è l'unico ambito della mia vita in cui sono sconfinatamente paziente.

Patterns, brushes, textures..the final image. - Pattern, pennelli, texture... l'immagine finale

Here we go!!! :)
I often try several patterns and textures and color tones before I can feel satisfied with my image.
Look how the colors have changed and how they transform the atmosphere.
I want to try some warm and vintage colors for this book so I changed them a lot during the hours on Photoshop!
Now....Nice to meet you Hansel and Gretel! Come into my book!!! :) I can start with scenes and landscapes and rooms and objects and..sweets! Once I have the final idea for colors and atmospheres I know what to do!!!
The character design for the stepmother,the fater and the witch will come quite easily because it will be similar to this.

ITA
Ed eccoci finalmente!
Di solito provo diversi pattern e texture e toni di colore prima che mi senta soddisfatta al 100% dell'immagine che voglio.
Guardate come i colori trasformano l'intera atmosfera del disegno.
Questa volta volevo provare dei colori caldi e vagamente vintage per questo libro quindi sono cambiati tantissimo nella lavorazione di Photoshop!
E ora... piacere di conoscervi Hansel e Gretel...dritti nel mio libro!!! :)
Ora posso partire con scene, paesaggi, stanze, oggetti...dolci! Una volta che ho l'idea finale dei colori e le atmosfere so finalmente cosa fare!
Il character design per la matrigna, il padre e la strega vengono di conseguenza a quello studiato per i protagonisti.

My first giveaway: WINNERS! Are you there?

2011-11-08T05:03:00.000-08:00

Here we are!
The giveway came to an end!

WE HAVE THE WINNERS!

With a total amount of 42 comments (1 mine to ask a question, in the count) I picked the winners with Random.org.

Third Prize - Terzo premio

A printable PDF high res. Christmas card with customizable text if you wish.
Un biglietto di Natale stampabile ad alta risoluzione con eventuale testo su richiesta

This prize has been won by Simona!
comment #1

Second Prize - Secondo Premio

The winner will receive this jewel bookmark with glitter handmade by me.

Size:

2.75"x1.10" (7x2,8cm) + bead jewel

Il vincitore riceverà questo segnalibro gioiello con glitter fatto a mano da me.
Misura: 7x2,8cm escluse le perline attaccate

This prize has been won by Arianna!
comment #17

First Prize - Primo premio

The winner will choose between two available sets
THE SECRET GARDEN / THE TWELVE DANCING PRINCESSES

Il vincitore sceglierà tra due set di stampe da 5
IL GIARDINO SEGRETO/ LE 12 PRINCIPESSE DANZANTI

This prize has been won by Alessandra!
comment #23

See you on the next giveaway!
If you haven't seen my Etsy Shop yet, you can find it here
and here you can find my Fan Page.

Thank you all!

Ci vediamo al prossimo giveaway!
Se non avete ancora visto il mio shop su Etsy è qui,
qui invece trovate la mia pagina fan!

A presto!

Morena

Wizardry :)

2011-11-04T14:11:00.000-07:00

to the moon!
for Io disegno a modo mio (weekly theme: wizardry)

House of spirits... doodle/sketch and final illustration

2011-10-23T14:43:00.000-07:00

I'm working on two new books and I'm so excited!!!

The storyboard is the part of the work I prefere and hate. It's very hard to find solutions for the words the author gave you but also very funny sometimes :)

Anyway...I was cleaning some folders and I've found this old sketch. A part of the final illustration is on the right :)

1000 fans GIVEAWAY starts!!!

2011-10-14T07:01:00.000-07:00

1) English
2) Italiano (scorrere tutto il post!)

ENG

Here I am!
You're over 1000 on my fan page and I want to celebrate with you!
My first giveaway starts NOW! :)
Are you ready?

Let's talk about PRIZES! We're all here for this, yay!

FIRST PRIZE

***A set of 5 prints***

The winner will choose between two available sets

SET 1

SET 2

SECOND PRIZE

The winner will receive this jewel bookmark with glitter handmade by me.
Size:

2.75"x1.10" (7x2,8cm) + bead jewel

THIRD PRIZE

A printable PDF - Christmas Card with custom text on it and custom size

HOW TO ENTER
Spread the love for my illustration!

You can do this, commenting under THIS POST.

Which kind of comments?

• Blog about this giveaway and link back to this post in your comment (leave the URL of where you blogged).
• Spread the word linking this post: on facebook,,twitter,myspace, tumblr, and then come back here and leave a comment with the link to your post. Each post you write about this giveaway gives you the opportunity to comment again under this post.
For example if you tweet this post, you can come back and post a comment with the URL, when you post this on facebook you can add another new comment with the new URL.

HOW DOES IT WORKS:

More comments-->more chances to be the winner! ;)

Please make sure you add your email address in your comment
(myname@mail.com)

END OF THIS GIVEAWAY : NOVEMBER 7, 2011
Three winners will be picked via Random.org (It will pick the number of comments!)
and contacted by me by email.

ITALIANO

Eccomi qui!
Siete più di 1000 sulla mia pagina fan e vorrei festeggiare con voi questo evento con un giveaway, il mio primo giveaway (e si spera non l'ultimo.. giusto? ;D )
Siete pronti?

Parliamo subito dei PREMI! Non siamo qui per questo, in fondo?

PRIMO PREMIO
***Set di 5 stampe***

Il vincitore sceglierà tra due set disponibili

SET 1

SET 2

SECONDO PREMIO
Il vincitore riceverà questo segnalibro gioiello con glitter fatto a mano da me.
Misura: 7x2,8cm escluse le perline attaccate

TERZO PREMIO
Il vincitore riceverà uno stampabile PDF alta risoluzione

di misura personalizzata

e con testo personalizzato per poter stampare questo biglietto natalizio, per i suoi pacchettini o per gli auguri!

COME PARTECIPARE
Fate conoscere ciò che faccio! :)
Potete farlo semplicemente commentando questo post.

Quale tipo di commenti?

Scrivete un post che parla di questo giveaway (e linkate il post) sul vostro blog poi tornate qui e commentate postando il link del vostro post.

Stessa cosa per gli altri mezzi di comunicazione: Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, Tumblr. Postate il link del giveaway e poi tornate qui e incollate l'URL di ciò che avete postato in un commento.

Ogni volta che pubblicizzate questo giveaway e questo post quindi, potete tornare qui e aggiungere un nuovo commento.

COME FUNZIONA:
Più commenti--> più possibilità di essere estratti! ;)

E' importante che siate rintracciabili via email per cui lasciate un'email valida coi vostri commenti.

FINE DEL GIVEAWAY: 7 NOVEMBRE 2011
Saranno selezionati TRE vincitori con Random.org (il numero sarà quello dei commenti postati!) e contattati via email.

Buona fortuna! ♥

My first GIVEAWAY!

2011-10-09T07:09:00.000-07:00

My first giveaway!
You're nearly 1000 on my page and when it will count 1000 fans I will start a giveaway with jewel bookmarks and the first winner will choose between two sets of 5 illustrations

The 12 princesses set

The secret Garden Set

Join my page!

Make a wish! :)

2011-10-08T15:04:00.000-07:00

"Desire" - Desiderio
was the theme for this week at Io Disegno a Modo Mio

Print available in my etsy shop,soon available as bookmark ,with glitters!

DETAIL

Halloween Memory Game! Printable Kit

2011-10-03T00:44:00.000-07:00

ENG

I decided to start some Memory game printable kits.
My first one is based on ... HALLOWEEN! :D

It suits perfectly for a Halloween party with kids or friends!
On my Etsy Shop

A set of 12 different cards, ready to print, cut and play a memory game. It is an ideal gift or a Halloween Kids Party!
Simply print, cut them and bind with a ribbon to make an ideal gift for your children!

Each card measures aproximately 2.5 x 2.5 inch. They are ready to download and print on US Legal or Letter size paper (or A4 format).

ITA

Da piccola ho sempre amato il Memory; in casa mia era il gioco per eccellenza per le feste in famiglia o i pomeriggi di pioggia.
Ieri mi sono detta: perchè non cominciare a farne un po' ma con immagini mie?
E siccome Halloween è alle porte.. ho pensato di farne uno per una festicciola tra bimbi o amici :D

Ogni carta misura circa 6 cm , il kit è stato predisposto per stampa su A4, naturalmente su cartoncino viene meglio. C'è anche il retro con un pattern a tema, basta stamparlo sul retro del foglio :)
poi si ritaglia e via..buona giocata!

E' sul mio Shop Etsy!

Illustration Friday - FEROCIOUS

2011-09-29T23:06:00.000-07:00

Poor Mr. Wolf, who's following him?
Maybe someone is more ferocious than him.

- detail (story soon available on Bedtime Stories app for Apple/Android)

A wolf in sheep's clothing

2011-09-26T15:33:00.000-07:00

My new book for LisbonLabs/Bedtime Stories for Apple and Android is in progress.

These are the first 3 parts of the story.. what will happen? stay tuned! :)

(My first book with Lisbon Labs has been released a few days ago. "The twelve dancing princesses".)

The 12 dancing princesses - My first interactive book is available to download!

2011-09-22T09:09:00.000-07:00

Yay!
I've just downloaded my first interactive ebook, released by LisbonLabs in these days :)

You can find it here for your iPhone or iPad, and here for your Android tablet or phone :)
The app is free, so you just need to download the app and looking for my book :)

Some previews of my book:

Animals and ... privacy?! :D

2011-09-21T16:27:00.000-07:00

ENG:

Three years ago my beloved dog Proust passed away. He was 13 and I grew up with him. I miss him so much I often dream of him some nights and I have a lot of souvenirs of our friendship.
He was a very proud dog, quite posh but kind and good hearted.
He totally hated pooing at someone's sight so he always hided under a tree or a bush and then he came out when he had finished :DDD
It was quite funny because before knowing him I've always thought animals don't need any privacy.

This year the theme for this Italian illustration competition called "Tapirulan" is "privacy" and the first thing in my mind was the strange habit of my darling... :D why not? I thought.

Here it is:
it's not him (he was a Yorkshire Terrier) but the expression on his face is quite the same! XD "hey! don't look at me now!"

whish me good luck my darling.
you're always in my heart and I miss you so much dear. <3
you're in everything I do every day.

This is the very first time he appears in one of my illustrations in some way and that's a strange feeling because I usually don't talk about him since he went away. I barely can see his pics without being sad.

But this illustration came out very funny and I'm so happy about it :)

ITA:

Tre anni fa il mio amato cane Proust mi ha lasciato. Aveva 13 anni e sono cresciuta con lui. Mi manca così tanto che spesso lo sogno certe notti e ho tanti bei ricordi della nostra amicizia.
Era un cane molto orgoglioso e riservato ma anche buonissimo e tranquillo.
Se c'era una cosa che odiava era fare la cacca davanti a qualcuno che lo guardava, perciò si premurava di nascondersi dietro qualche albero o cespuglio e si guardava dietro per vedere se lo stavo osservando, proprio con l'espressione che c'è nel disegno qui sotto. :D
Prima di conoscerlo non mi sono mai posta il problema per cui gli animali di solito non hanno privacy. Ma lui era diverso, ne aveva bisogno e se la prendeva ogni volta che poteva (ogni tanto dormiva nascosto dietro i cuscini, per esempio)
Il tema di quest'anno per il concorso di illustrazione Tapirulan 2012 è proprio "Privacy" e la prima cosa che ho pensato è stata questa buffa abitudine di Proust.
Così mi sono detta, perchè no? :D

Eccolo qui... non era nero perchè era uno Yorkshire Terrier ma gli somiglia molto e l'espressione è proprio la sua "hei! non spiarmi sai!"

Augurami buona fortuna mio caro.
sei sempre nel mio cuore e mi manchi tantissimo, sei in tutto ciò che faccio ogni giorno.

E' la prima volta che appare in una delle mie illustrazioni in qualche modo ed è una strana sensazione perchè di solito non parlo di lui da quando se n'è andato. Riesco a malapena a vedere le sue fotografie, fa ancora troppo male.

Ma questa illustrazione è venuta spiritosa proprio come la desideravo, mi piace perchè è un ricordo buffo che mi ha lasciato e mi sembrava adatta al concorso :)
Le cose che amiamo ci plasmano diceva una persona molto saggia... è giusto così.

New Bookmarks: Mini Jewel Collection...so precious!

2011-09-19T07:13:00.000-07:00

MINI COLLECTION : Tiny and precious!
All my bookmarks on Etsy

Mini Collection features tiny bookmarks 2.75"x1.10" (7x2,8cm) + bead jewel.
Each bookmark is printed on premium paper, finished with a smooth matte laminate, with bright colors and a handmade bead jewel.
For very elegant and stylish readings and perfect for a precious gift.

Mini Collection Bookmarks have their own beautiful confection so they're perfect for a gift.

Bookmarks "Basic Collection"

2011-09-19T06:54:00.000-07:00

Hello!!! :)
I'm starting a new collection of bookmarks!

BASIC COLLECTION IS CHEAPER BUT PRECIOUS!Each bookmark from the Basic Collection is only 2$!
My Bookmarks on Etsy

All my bookmarks from the Basic Collection are printed on smooth mat paper, 250 g/m²; they're basic and cheaper just because they're NOT laminated and the back is white. (Deluxe Collection will be soon online, laminated, with rounded borders and patterned back)
Therefore, I added some glittery details and a lace shaped border up and down to make them precious; these bookmarks looks very lovely for a vintage and whimsical touch in your readings, they fit perfectly for a gift too. :)
!!! Extra ideas for the white back: you can add a small inscription for a sweet personal gift!

I'm just posting some samples which are available on my Etsy Shop at the moment but you can request a bookmark if you want.
Please feel free to visit my gallery on Flickr,where you can view my illustrations and pick a subject for a bookmark (or a print? :) )

The Secret Garden

2011-09-19T06:08:00.000-07:00

This is officially the first day of autumn here in Milan.
I was going out with my boyfriend to eat a pizza after a very busy week but after 20 minutes it was raining cats and dogs so we came back home, my feet were cold and my socks totally wet :(

Anyway...this is a very particular period to me...

Autumn is a very special season, isn't it?
I don't know why, maybe because when I was at school, september was the moment of the year in which I started thinking about new goals and projects. Nothing changed: when summer ends I start thinking about new things to do.
I've worked hard during the summer to draw 3 interactive books and I'm starting another one (yesterday I've received the fourth text and I like it! it's a story from Arabian Nights) and I'm working a lot on new style solutions, such as new vintage atmospheres. I'm about to buy a fairytale book printed in 1863. I've already love it as it was here in my hands :heart: Anyway, I'm studying the old victorian illustrators and I love that look, warm colors and light tones.
These studies influenced my latest works.
I used vectors, old paper textures, old letters and books, old botanical illustrations (Victorian and Baroque)

These illustrations from "The Secret Garden" by Frances Hodgson Burnett are my experiment for Bologna Children Book Fair 2012.
All the following illustrations are on sale on a special listing on my Etsy Shop, with a very special discount. :)

My first children's magazine cover :)

2011-09-19T05:15:00.000-07:00

yesterday Francesco sent me this pic of my first children's magazine cover in a bookstore :D

Working on my Cheap Collection Glittery Bookmarks

2011-09-12T09:02:00.000-07:00

I've always adored glittery details in cards and books so I thought "why not? glittery bookmarks would be awesome!"

This is a pic of my work in progress.... stay tuned :D

cute, isn't it? :)

Halloween Invitation - Printables!!!

2011-09-11T16:52:00.000-07:00

I've decided to start a serie of printables :)
I love printables, because you don't need additional fees for shipping or crying for the bad postal service.
These are customizable, if you need something original, just ask! :)

So here's my first invitations for your Halloween Party!
You can find all my printables listed here.

BOO! My alloween Products!

2011-09-11T08:49:00.000-07:00

Halloween is probably one of my fav occasions, it gives me opportunity to draw cute and spooky characters and atmospheres :D

So here I am, promoting 4 amazing Halloween tote bags from my Zazzle Shop. Each model is highly customizable in color and shape. You can use it to hold your candies or to be a sweet witchy girl at a Halloween Party, why not? :)

Three colors availble: Violet Witch and her bat friend in the moonlight, Orange Witch (Dark and Light versions available) with her little mouse, Pink Witch, the cutest, with her ghostly friend, baking a cake! :D

Click on each preview to view the product in its listing.
I also have other amazing Halloween Products, take a look to my Halloween Gallery! :)

Working on "The Secret Garden"

2011-09-09T08:38:00.000-07:00

While I'm waiting for the text of the new iPad book, I'm working on my Children Book Fair illustrations.
I had several ideas, good ones, bad ones, but in the end my choice has been on my favourite children book: The Secret Garden.

Fall is arrived and I'm so happy!
It gives me a sort of melancholy and I usually work better i this way, so I tried to creat a vintage and melancholic atmosphere on this project.

I've decided to use silouhettes, with photographs and old botanical illustrations from the 18th century and some pages from an old botanic book.

those are the first two and they're both available for print. I opened my etsy shop at last :)
please if you'd love to purchase a smaller version (which is also cheaper of course) of this prints just let me know.

Five for Silver, Six for Gold

2011-08-22T15:15:00.000-07:00

I'm finishing my iPad book based on "The 12 dancing princesses" by Brothers Grimm. I'm loving this job so much.

I can play with atmospheres as I like. Tapestries, whimsical lights and shadows, swirls and silouhettes of course.

These are two of the three forest of the story.
The silver forest and the golden one.
The prince is hidden under his invisibility cloak :)

Libri illustrati vintage (e fumetti), libri d'Arte cercano casa (ITALIAN ONLY) regalo e vendo

2011-08-04T23:59:00.000-07:00

Come forse qualcuno sa, mia madre è bibliotecaria. In casa mia ho salvato centinaia di libri che la biblioteca non voleva, dal libro sfasciato del 1950 a "Pinocchio" di Nicoletta Ceccoli (DESTINATO.AL.MACERO. Una roba da non credersi)
Questo perchè credo che un libro, a maggior ragione se illustrato, ha sempre qualcosa da dare, anche 50 anni dopo (per non parlare di cosa farei per avere un libro primi '900 originale illustrato magari da Kay Nielsen o Annie French, non fatemi nemmeno pensare!)
Purtroppo io però ho una casetta piccolissima e ad un certo punto mi stanno esplodendo le librerie. Di buttarli non se ne parla perchè per me buttare un libro illustrato è come sputare sul lavoro di un editore, di uno scrittore e soprattutto di un collega, per cui sono qui a regalarne alcuni e venderne altri.
O a chiedere a chi legge se può segnalarmi un posto SICURO DOVE NON VADANO BUTTATI, dove siano interessati a dei libri vintage.
Non suggeritemi Ebay, nessuno li compra su Ebay questi libri, a meno che non siano edizioni famose o storiche.

Io chiedo un posto fisico, qualcuno che li voglia, naturalmente anche uno solo, mi basta non doverli buttare.

Lo so ora qualcuno mi dirà "ma allora perchè non li tieni tu?" Eh come ho detto casa mia è piccola, in più sto rinnovando lo spazio di lavoro in attesa di avere lo studio fuori casa qui devo fare veramente spazio perchè tra poco non c'è più posto nemmeno per me e mi sfrattano.

CONTATTO: robadadisegnatori@gmail.com
per favore non commentate qui nel post,soprattutto se la mail o il vostro blog non fossero raggiungibili! come vi trovo se no?
non tengo i libri riservati se non con un contatto e un accordo, grazie per la comprensione

Oltre ai libri che seguono regalo tre mega libroni a carta interna patinata e a piena pagina di Gauguin, Manet e Degas. Fatevi avanti se li volete! :)

sono a copertina rigida spessa e pesantucci,tenetene conto per la spedizione
QUESTI TRE LIBRI HANNO TROVATO CASA! :)

QUESTO LIBRO HA TROVATO CASA! :)

I libri vintage invece sono questi: (presi! :) )

Illustrato da Nardini - Brossura 122 pp, Finito di stampare nel 1966!!!
QUESTO LIBRO HA TROVATO CASA! :)

Illustrato da Savi - Brossura 119 pp, Finito di stampare nel 1955!!!
QUESTO LIBRO HA TROVATO CASA! :)

1983 - sfregio in copertina ma perfetto all'interno (vedi immagine dopo) pp 168, copertina rigida

Il primo manuale delle Giovani Marmotte - Disney 1991

IN VENDITA

"Il grande Lupo Alberto - Tutte le prime 1000 strisce" Euroclub 1987
PP 205 Copertina rigida/cartonato
misure: 33x25cm
Euro 7+sped.

Eisner/Miller
Conversazione sul Fumetto
Kappa Edizioni (dettagli qui)

ottimo stato 7 euro+sped.

NON VINTAGE , nel modo più assoluto :D ma è un regalo doppio e di 2 libri uguali ne faccio poco!

Working with silouhettes (ENG - ITA)

2011-08-04T16:46:00.000-07:00

ENGLISH

I don't know if you've ever seen my first works based on fairytales but I've always loved working with silouhettes. These illustrations have already something like 2 years

I don't know why I've started with silouhettes. I've tried to remember what could have influenced me but really, I can't remember.

The fact is, I think silouhettes are whimsical, mysterious, they allow you to imagine the characters as you want and I found them very expressive.
Of course , you have to find body positions that works well together or it's a mess.
After these illustrations I stopped making silouhettes to develope my style better and to try character designs.

Yesterday I asked the art director to illustrate all the story with silouhettes and... yay! The 12 dancing princesses are all in silouhettes. I'm really having fun with this project!
What do you think?

ITALIANO

Non so se avete visto quanto nei miei vecchi lavori amavo lavorare con le silouhette, queste due illustrazioni hanno più di due anni:

Non sono mai riuscita a capire, tornando indietro con le memorie, a ricordare perchè io sia così ossessionata dalle silouhette. So solo che mi attraggono, mi ci sento a mio agio a disegnarle.
In più credo siano misteriose e diano al lettore la possibilità di un'immaginazione sollecitata. Una sorta di vedo non vedo. La silouhette suggerisce solamente la scena, l'atmosfera e questo lascia spazio ad una partecipazione alla storia da parte di chi guarda l'illustrazione.
Le silouhette ti catturano, ti dicono "guardami" e possono suggerire davvero molti dettagli.
Ovviamente vanno usate bene, le posizioni dei corpi e degli oggetti devono essere studiate bene perchè funzionino e suggeriscano gli atteggiamenti giusti, altrimenti è un casino.

Alla fine ho deciso di illustrare tutto "Le 12 principesse danzanti" in silouhette,credo la storia si presti bene, che ne dite? :)

The twelve dancing princesses: a very important lesson

2011-08-03T18:50:00.000-07:00

ENGLISH:
Working on a new subject is always very exciting and it's all about a sort of reflection when I start working on a new story.

This time I have to illustrate "Twelve dancing princesses" by Grimm Brothers.
I own two mervellous versions in my mind for this story:
Kay Nielsen's

Too good to be true (to be human....duh)

and this amazingly fresh new version by Brigette.

When you have examples like this, you just want to ask for another story but the fact is, you need to view a different story in your mind.
Kay Nielsen's Twelve princesses is elegant, sophisticated, with a strongly Baroque look; Brigette made a very girly version with bright colors and cheerful emotions in it.

I love both versions but then I thought: well I don't see this story like that.
I mean, it's a very sad story. It's about twelve girls who fell in love with their princes but they can't marry them. The younger must marry the man who revelead their secret and the others.... well I guess they've been locked in their room forever. But we should know, we're talking about a Grimm's story. They're not very kind with ladies, are they?

So I thought "It would be great to create another look..a whimsical one with magical atmosphere and a lot of mistery and melancholy in every scene."

This is the cover I made for this book. As you may know, I love working with silouhettes, I find them very expressive.

and this is a work in progress when you can see each princess, happy to escape from the castle to dance with her favourite prince.

I'm quite satisfied. This is the story as I see it in my mind.
I always need to ask myself who are the characters I'm going to draw. It gives a personality to the whole story.
doesn't mind who illustrate the same story you are going to illustrate. Maybe you're not Kay Nielsen, nobody won't ever be Kay Nielsen.

But if you can think of a very personal way to do something, it will be one of a kind. :)

ITALIANO

Iniziare a lavorare su un nuovo progetto è sempre molto stimolante. Una nuova storia, una nuova atmosfera, nuovi personaggi.
A questo giro mi è stato affidato "Le 12 principesse danzanti" dei Fratelli Grimm (ho già illustrato un'altra loro storia, "Rapunzel" e personalmente adoro i Grimm, tanto che ho un libro che riporta le fiabe com'erano senza le edulcorazioni per l'infanzia)
La mente è corsa subito ai primi due esempi di illustrazioni della storia, due esempi famosissimi e di una bellezza eclatante:
La versione di Kay Nielsen

Non era umano.

e quella molto più recente ma di deciso successo di Brigette, di cui ho acquistato il libro edito da Gallucci Editore per l'Italia.

Quando hai degli esempi eccellenti come questi, ci sono due possibilità:
- Che ti galvanizzino visivamente a tal punto da spronarti a disegnare la stessa storia
- Che ti deprimano per l'insuperabile bellezza e ti facciano venir voglia di chiedere all'editore se davvero non c'è un'altra storia da poter illustrare. Perchè sai che qualunque cosa farai sarà una schifezza davanti a dei mostri sacri simili.

Quindi, dopo una sera di scoramento, ho deciso su consiglio di Manola, di accantonare il libro della Barrager e di pensare in modo più pulito cioè imparziale, la storia.

E di analizzare meglio le due versioni che tanto mi fanno (giustamentissimo) sognare.
Nielsen ha affrontato l'illustrazione delle 12 principesse danzanti con la sua raffinatezza, eleganza e un evidente tocco barocco nei personaggi e nelle ambientazioni. Con colori delicati e atmosfere ovattate.

La Barrager invece ha optato per uno stile scanzonato, moderno, colorato e gioioso.

Allora ho pensato: un attimo, io non vedo "Le 12 principesse danzanti" così.
Ho riletto il testo (io rileggo i testi fino a sfinirmi, perchè anche un testo di 4 righe per tavola deve essere assimilato al meglio, capito, elaborato mentalmente) e quel che vedevo era buio, magico, misterioso.

E per niente gioioso e colorato.
Voglio dire, conoscete la storia? Parla di 12 principesse innamorate dei rispettivi principi, ma il padre le chiude in una stanza per sempre e una di loro la dà in sposa a un tale che ha riferito il loro segreto.
Beh non c'è da stupirsi, i Signori Grimm non erano molto soft con le donzelle.

Comunque, ho elaborato la storia a modo mio, questa è la copertina

e ho deciso che tutto il libro sarà fatto di silouhette. Le trovo molto espressive ed adatte alla storia.
Perchè loro escono al chiaro di luna, per ballare e poi tornare all'alba, loro stesse sono il mistero del libro e non solo le protagoniste.

E da qui ho imparato una lezione importante: non bisogna pensare a chi è passato prima di noi, grande o meno grande che fosse.
Quello che faremo noi sarà sempre qualcosa di unico finchè ci atterremo alla nostra personalissima visione di una storia.

My sweet book is finished...yay!

2011-07-30T08:20:00.000-07:00

I've just finished my second interactive book... I'm so proud of it and I had so much fun drawing it :)

this is a detail of the final illustration.

Designers studio for children

2011-07-29T13:54:00.000-07:00

Wow! My new interactive book for Touchybooks is nearly finished!
I'm really having fun with this project.

This time I had to draw an architect studio... full of fascinating objects..you can turn the PC on and off, a telephone rings, a lot of stuff on the table... this is just a detail :D

Having fun with a boring theme :)

2011-07-27T18:18:00.000-07:00

ENG:
The job of an illustrator is not always about happiness, cheerful moments and exciting sensations; sometimes you have to draw something you don't care at all.
But the fact is: you need to play Pollyanna's game if you want to stay in the deadline without going crazy. You know what the game is about? You have to try and try and try to find something interesting or funny in a boring or negative situation.

It works. The very hard part of the game is finding the funny solution. I had to draw a press conference with politicians for a children's books. What's more far from a funny children concept, right?
So I've tried to find something funny in a press conference. Well... the funny element in press conferences is: faces.OMG have you ever noticed some faces during press conferences? Some people yawn, some people have the weirdest expressions ore they're wearing very ridicolous clothing.
That's it.

I had fun drawing funny faces and expressions and funny clothing, after this, I started drawing fast and motivated :D

this is a detail:

ITA

Il lavoro di illustratore non ha sempre a che fare con momenti felici ed eccitanti; a volte capita che devi disegnare qualcosa di cui non ti interessa assolutamente nulla.
Ma il fatto è: hai bisogno di fare il gioco di Pollyanna se vuoi rispettare la scadenza senza diventare pazzo. Sapete che gioco è Consiste nel trovare il divertente o il positivo in qualunque situazione.

Funziona. La parte difficile del gioco è trovare la soluzione divertente. Dovevo disegnare una conferenza stampa di politici per un libro per bambini. Ora, cosa c'è di più distante da un concetto divertente per bambini,giusto?
Quindi ho cercato di trovare qualcosa di buffo che può esserci in una conferenza stampa. Beh... l'elemento divertente di una conferenza stampa è LA GENTE che c'è alla conferenza stampa. Prendiamo i politici: ma che facce c'hanno? E come sono vestiti a volte? Al limite dell'assurdo. E poi gente che sbadiglia, si scaccola, assume le espressioni più impensabili nonostante sia IN PUBBLICO.
Ecco.
In questa maniera mi sono divertita tantissimo, disegnando colorati e assurdi vestiti ed espressioni per i politici coinvolti. Oltre il fatto che essendo una tavola per libro interattivo, le espressioni si muovono (la tizia sbadiglia!) e i personaggi gesticolano in modo imbarazzante (scusate la mia italianità! lol)
ecco un dettaglio:

Incubus - From dream to nightmare

2011-07-26T08:34:00.000-07:00

The awkard sensation when you are dreaming of a wonderful moment and suddenly something happens...it's coming! All fades to dark...and the nightmare begins!
PRINT ON SALE
click on the image for better view

Work in progress and details

color base

House of Spirits

2011-07-24T15:46:00.000-07:00

I'm so happy!
I need to show you something darker like my old works. I've worked on three colorful and cheerful books but I desperately need to draw something closer to my personality.
I discovered a competition based on a gothic them and I cried "WOW!!! YEAH!" and I started this :D
Click for full view (recommended!!!)
Print on sale!

details and work in progress:

just started with textures... none digital painting yet =)

work in progress detail:
(click for full view - recommended)

Little Journalists

2011-07-23T09:43:00.000-07:00

A very small illustration for a Children's Magazine :)

The London Giraffe

2011-07-19T17:43:00.000-07:00

I decided to draw an easy work just for relaxing... :)

And I made some beautiful products on my Zazzle Shop with this design ,such as the tote bag, cute isn't it? :)

Digital pastels

2011-07-19T09:51:00.000-07:00

ENG
Hiya! :)
I'm working on some projects, this is the cover for a new interactive book with Touchybooks.
I'm trying a new style with digital pastels .It's not Painter though, I cannot understand Painter so I've tried to use pastels...in Photoshop! :)
hope you like it.

ITA
Heilà!
Sto sperimentando un nuovo metodo di colorazione, ora i disegni sembrano fatti a pastello e mi piace la leggerezza che trasmettono, in più sono contentissima di avere praticamente inventato questo nuovo modo di colorare. Dà tutta la freschezza delle matite colorate e tutta la comodità del digitale!
spero vi piaccia :)

xoxo
Morena

Color experiments: pastel and vintage tones for the same illustration

2011-07-10T17:43:00.000-07:00

ENG

As I wrote in the post before, I'm trying to reach a new and fresher look with more pictorical details.
And I'd love to spread my illustration outside Europe. The illustration market is quite different between Europe and UK+USA.
So I tried new colors and character design; they're two difficult choices.
Someone could think changing the colors is easier than trying a new character design. Well, actually it's a mess.
I mean, when I don't like the palette in a new illustration , I keep deleting and getting bored and I'm so pissed off I want to go sell ice creams. Really.
Today I finished my first illustration for "The important word" my second book for TouchyBooks. I've closed the file then I had dinner.
While eating I felt so frustrated, sad ... not only tired.
So I finished my omelette, I ran at PC, I opened my illustration quickly and in THREE MINUTES (OMG!) I just used my instinct. Something was telling me I had to do this:
- add a sepia tone ,a vintage tone to all the illustration
- add some words , so I opened two textures of old letters and I merged them on the background. I mean, the book is about A WORD, so I thought, WHY NOT?! Let's use words, writing,letters!
- add a nature detail. Oh God, I just can't stay without ornaments, I feel something's missing without floral details, plants, and swirls.

Look at this "first+second version"

Maybe in the UK children books market, sepia tone is not appreciated so I'm going to use the first pastel version for the UK portfolio but hey..the second one is mine. It cames from my heart, is the real perception I had about the text and the atmosphere I feel reading the story. Hope you will like it :)

ITA

Come ho scritto nel post precedente, sto cercando di ottenere un look più fresco e pittorico, mi piacerebbe infatti proporre i miei lavori fuori dal mercato europeo ovvero in UK e USA. Ora, forse già lo sapete ma come per tutti i settori creativi, gusti e mode sono dettate dalla cultura e dalla tradizione, e così anche l'estetica del disegno per l'infanzia non si discosta dalla regola generale.

La questione qui era (è,sarà sempre) come si trova un compromesso fra la propria espressione e quello che vuole il mercato? Come si disegna per un dato mercato senza snaturare la propria visione delle cose? Perchè una scelta stilistica è proprio questo. In realtà più che una scelta è un riflesso di come noi siamo e percepiamo e quindi disegnamo. Lo stile è una conseguenza di tantissimi fattori diversi che fanno parte di noi, da come siamo a cosa amiamo.
Credo di essere riuscita a raggiungere un character design che non snatura il modo in cui vedo i bambini: un po' buffi, ma furbetti e intelligenti, dolci ma dispettosi quando serve. E questo è perchè al momento (mai dire mai) sono riuscita a diminuire la misura degli occhi ma non a ridurli a due miseri inespressivi puntini come vuole ilmercato britannico e statunitense.
E fin qui tutto ok: ma se cambiare il character design è stato piuttosto veloce (una decina di studi a matita ed ero pronta a mettermi a pc per digitalizzare i miei nuovi personaggi) cambiare colore è per me qualcosa di molto più radicale.
So di molti che non lavorano con delle palette: io invece ne ho mortalmente bisogno. Senza una palette iniziale di riferimento (anche incompleta si intende) non riesco nemmeno a cominciare,a vedere nella mente cosa andrò a fare.
Ho passato le mie solite due orette sul vettoriale (tenendo conto che poi essendo il character design nuovo ci metto di più a farlo muovere nella tavola) e giunta in Photoshop è scoppiata l'apocalisse. Ho cestinato la tavola due volte. Mentre di solito ho le idee chiare su cosa mi piace e cosa non mi piace, qui era un continuo Annulla e Cestina e non capivo cosa non mi piacesse.
Comunque alla fine giungo a questo risultato e si è fatta ora di cena:

Anche a riguardarla ora non c'era niente che mi desse troppo fastidio. C'era solo un sordo sentimento di insoddisfazione ma non capendo da dove proveniva ho cenato in silenzio cercando inutilmente di ritenere chiusa la questione prima tavola.
Poi senza nemmeno pensarci , sono stata assalita dall'istinto, ho lasciato la cena a metà, ho aperto la tavola e in tre minuti netti ho capito che ciò che non mi piaceva era non il colore ma IL TONO della tavola.
Io non lo so perchè in UK e USA si ostinino a pensare che ogni libro e ogni storia vadano bene in toni pastello e sognanti ma nella mia visione delle cose è abbastanza da pazzi.
Il libro si intitola "la parola importante" è un libro sui sentimenti e sulla semplicità, non su due bambini che parlano accarezzando un cane, per la miseria!
La forza di una tonalità può raccontare tutt'altra storia, far capire il messaggio intero di un libro. E da li ho capito perchè la storia fino a quel momento mi era sembrata inutile e statica e anche un po' senza senso. Era in poche parole sterile.
Ho aperto come dicevo il file e di istinto:
- Ho applicato la tonalità seppia: la scena era già cambiatissima. Un'atmosfera malinconica e calda, come le memorie di infanzia sanno essere, la permeava.
- Ho piazzato senza tante cerimonie un timbro foglia perchè mi mancava dannatamente l'elemento naturale nella scena.
- La storia è "la parola importante" e mi sono detta , mettiamoci davvero le parole! Ho usato due texture di vecchie lettere così le parole sono davvero protagoniste della tavola ( e lo saranno anche delle prossime 7!)

Dopo tre minuti da ciò che vedete lì sopra, ero arrivata qui:

questa è la tavola che volevo! e che l'editore ha accettato più che volentieri :)
questo per dirvi... ogni tanto l'istinto supera i programmi minuziosi :)

New style research and magazine illustration

2011-07-08T16:22:00.000-07:00

I'm experimenting a new style for editorial projects and magazines.
I made this illustration for a children magazine's article about helping granny and grandpa ;)

sketch:

vector

final illustration:

Click for full view!

DETAIL:

Digital colors on pencil

2011-07-07T10:52:00.000-07:00

Pencil drawing is mine!
Colors by Martina Cecilia.

I love it!!! :)
I'm trying some new characeter design during these weeks :)
what do you think about it?

Rapunzel Book: finished!

2011-06-17T08:40:00.000-07:00

Click for full view!! :)

Rapunzel and her prince Sketch and Finished illustration

2011-06-11T08:32:00.000-07:00

The prince discovered the Tower (sketch+illustration)

2011-06-10T12:54:00.000-07:00

Sketch+ finished illustration :)
click for the full view!
From my Rapunzel book in progress :)

Rapunzel Mug

2011-06-04T15:49:00.000-07:00

Hello!
I made a new design, studied for this Rapunzel Mug. Cute, isn't it? :)
The illustration runs through all the mug space!
It's on my Zazzle Shop if you want it for your hot chocolate :)

Illustration Friday: Shadows

2011-06-04T09:42:00.000-07:00

Hehe I'm still working to Rapunzel book but today I decided to take a break and to relax a bit, joining Illustration Friday's weekly theme: Shadows.

Click for full view!

Anyway I'm still under my Rapunzel mania so here's another Rapunzel illustration :D
Hope you like it!
It's been inspired by this lyric from Tangled by Walt Disney Pictures

Just smell the grass! The dirt! Just like I dreamed they'd be!
Just feel that summer breeze - the way it's calling me
For like the first time ever, I'm completely free!
I could go running
And racing
And dancing
And chasing
And leaping
And bounding
Hair flying
Heart pounding
And splashing
And reeling
And finally feeling
Now's when my life begins!

Rapunzel Book: work in progress

2011-06-01T19:24:00.000-07:00

Other little details and work in progress of my book :)

Vector. Click for full view!

Little detail :)

Working on Rapunzel interactive book

2011-05-28T08:45:00.000-07:00

Hello!
I'm working on a book based on the story of Rapunzel by Brothers Grimm. I'm having so much fun because it will be animated! So I'm adding a lot of small details, moving objects and expressions... :)
This is a little study for the character :

VECTOR - Click for full and better view

A small detail of a page from my Rapunzel book

Kids Creativity

2011-05-26T04:04:00.000-07:00

I was looking for a picture of Rapunzel Tower (I'm illustrating an interactive book so I was looking for some references) and I've found these two pictures:

The one on the left is a Mattel product. I know it could look amazing to a little girl but... Look at the one on the right! It's pure creativity!
This picture remind me of my childhood.
When I was 4-10 my mom used to let me make houses for my puppets and you know what? That was the funniest part of the play! I think that tower is much more beautiful than the one on the left. It's UNIQUE, one of a kind and children loves to feel creative.
A creative child will be a creative person.
Here's the step to step post to build the tower :D

Kill the Granny - En français!

2011-05-25T20:08:00.000-07:00

My friend Valeria bought a French copy of Kill the Granny (the comic I worked to, with other talented artists) in Turin.

One of the most motivating situation: my friends with my drawings, illustrations and....well: books! :)
Thank you for all your support, you're precious! <3

Immaginaria - Sanremo (Exhibit+Festival)

2011-05-25T16:54:00.000-07:00

ENG
I'm joining Immaginaria, a Festival dedicated to fantasy, fairies, tales, children books and cosplays :)
It takes place in Sanremo, one of the most beautiful place in Italy.

These are my illustrations for this Festival, they're all about fairies and fairytales ;)
The third "Bluebell Fairy" is also the prize to win for a drawing kids competition.

P.S ALL FOR SALE!
And I'm opening my Etsy Shop in two weeks.

ITA:
Apre oggi il Festival Immaginaria nella meravigliosa Sanremo!
Probabilmente io sarò presente venerdi, le mie stampe sono esposte oggi domani e dopodomani e sono tutte in vendita.
Una delle mie stampe (la terza in ordine di apparizione qui sotto , intitolata "Bluebell Fairy") è inoltre il premio per un concorso di disegno per bambini e ragazzi :)
Qui le prime notizie del festival, oggi c'è stata l'inaugurazione!

Bluebells

2011-05-02T14:42:00.000-07:00

I made this illustration for a special Children Festival in Sanremo (near Portofino, Italy) about children and fantasy. I will be there for my exhibit with other talented illustrators.

www.immaginariasanremo.com

Part One: the vector

Part Two: The final illustration

Click for a better full view

Detail:
click for full version

Illustration Friday: Lesson

2011-04-29T10:21:00.000-07:00

Lesson in the afternoon! :)
Illustration Friday

Illustration Friday: Journey

2011-04-15T21:12:00.000-07:00

I decided to try a new editorial style for Illustration Friday weekly theme. It's simpler than my usual works with less textures and background.
Journeys are one of my biggest passion! :)

Hands Help Japan

2011-04-15T16:37:00.000-07:00

I made this illustration for Hands Help Japan, an ebook that will be available online to help Japanese children after the earthquake.
It's very important and I want to give my support.

Before the complete colors in Photoshop (just vector here)

After the complete colors
Click for full view (recommended)

Details

Illustration Friday: Bottled

2011-04-13T15:04:00.000-07:00

Click for full view

The bottled prince :D
Illustration Friday: Bottled

Torino Comics: I signed many copies of my first publication!

2011-04-12T08:29:00.000-07:00

Kill the Granny Comedy Collection is my first publication and I'm so proud! It's a beautiful comic but my story is illustrated since I'm not a comic artist.
Last Saturday I went to Torino Comics in Turin to sign some copies with the two authors (Francesca Mengozzi and Giovanni Marcora) and the other artists who worked on the book.
Kill the Granny has ben released in Italy and France.

After so many nights of hard work, looking at the printed illustrations has been a great satisfaction.
Signing copies, drawing sketches in stand and meeting fans has been so exciting. :)

The publisher (Pavesio) organized an exhibit with all the original drawings and work in progress.
This is mine:

From the left to the right: Sketch/pen+felt, Vector, final illustration for the splash page of my story
Click for full view

A few pages of my story...

A very special ladybug!

2011-04-07T05:19:00.000-07:00

Mordaunt made this amazing little sculpture of my character, isn't it lovely? :)
She also wrote a tutorial (just Italian but quite clear because she added a lot of detailed images)

Ask me anything

2011-03-31T05:37:00.001-07:00

Do you have any questions for me?

I'm on Formspring! :)
Just ask!

http://www.formspring.me/mairimart

Illustration Friday: Toy

2011-03-29T08:01:00.000-07:00

The big truth about our beloved pets:
(click for full view)

Are you on Twitter?

2011-03-28T23:12:00.000-07:00

I am :)

Cultivate your dreams -wallpapers (for PC and iPhone!)

2011-03-25T09:56:00.000-07:00

Here you can download this wallpaper in 4 different resolutions :)

The one for iPhone is good for other phones as well, I tried in on my Nokia and it's perfect!

Art Theft: where inspiration ends and copy begins

2011-03-24T14:56:00.000-07:00

I don't want to sound conceited or awkward. I love talking with people, I love giving advices, asking for new techniques, being kind and kind people.
KIND PEOPLE.
What does it mean?
In some people opinion, being kind is writing kindly. No, I'm sorry, you can write in your better way and doing something very bad and rude.
-------We are not what we say, we are what we do. -------
This is one of my rules for living and I deeply believe in it.

I am always kind and polite but I realized sometimes it's not the better choice. People often think you're pretty stupid when you are too kind. They think they can say and DO everything they want.
Well, I'm sick of these stressing situations.

click for a full view

This guy called Samir C. (you could say THANK YOU because I AM a polite person and I'm not going to write your surname, dear) asked for a copy of this work by me as a gift for his friend. I told him I have some prints for sale but he doesn't want to pay. He apparently think drawing as a profession is not something to pay for. This A4 print is 15$, not 100.

So, what had he thought? "Hey you genius! Why don't you make a copy? It's easy and totally free! Ha!"

Then he sent the copy to me, asking if I like it. Of course I like it, you idiot, since it's MY DRAWING, my idea, my colors, my composition and all!

But the situation became awkward. I answered with a polite email, telling him it's a copy and I don't like to be fooled. That's what he wrote to me:

"Yeah you 100% right.
but "stealing" is bad word to use i prefere "inspiration", i wish i have half of your talent so i coud copy 100% your amazing artwork, brightside is my skills is getting better trying to copy you

how many peoples come to you and do like me?
and
how many copy your art without you even know?

"best way to praise some one is copying"
you should be proud i wanto to lear much i can with you"

oh really, "stealing is a bad word" why don't we call it inspiration then? You think it changes a lot, don't you? You're so smart. And I guess since I draw for children you think I'm quite stupid and naive.
Well, I'm not.

Sometimes you can't concretely tell where inspiration ends and where copy starts but this is the time I can prove what I'm saying. It's clear that this guy copied my illustration but since he insists this is INSPIRATION, there, it is not inspiration.

I've superimposed my illustration and his drawing then I've deleted some parts, you see it's 100% TRACED OUT. AND HE WANTS TO CALL IT INSPIRATION.

What's inspiration?
- You choose the same subject but different colours, composition, medias.
- You choose the same composition but different colours, medias, subject.
- You choose the same colors (and maybe pick them if the drawing is digital) and do SOMETHING TOTALLY DIFFERENT.

When subject, colours, composition, medias are the same we are talking about art theft/copy.

Sometimes it's quite clear.

Illustration Friday "Cultivate"

2011-03-24T05:57:00.000-07:00

Cultivate your dreams!

click for full view

Vector version

Charity Exhibit for our beloved friends :)

2011-03-14T20:00:00.000-07:00

I wrote the description just in Italian because the exhibit will take place in Italy, but you can help even if you don't live here.
4 of my prints (A4, 160g high quality paper) are for sale (10 euros) and all the money are devolved to "Amici dei Gatti (Kitten Friends Association of Novara) to open a park for our sweet friends.

ITA
La mostra avrà luogo all'Osteria Bukowsky di Novara il 18 marzo. Ogni stampa sarà in vendita a 10 euro ANCHE DOPO L'EVENTO. Il ricavato è interamente devoluto all'Associazione Amici dei Gatti di Novara.
Per delucidazioni sull'evento, cliccate qui.
Le stampe (A4 su carta 160g opaca di alta qualità) saranno in vendita anche dopo la mostra e il prezzo può essere direttamente mandato all'Associazione.

Russian Animation - love it!

2011-03-12T10:40:00.002-08:00

Clair de Lune

2011-03-12T04:23:00.000-08:00

I made this illustration for a clarinet player :)

She kindly sent me a photo of her with my print ^^

Kill the Granny work in progress

2011-03-04T13:38:00.000-08:00

I'm working on my first comic book, "Kill the Granny Comedy Collection". Here you can find all the other artists working on the same project :)

This is a small detail of what I'm doing! ;)
My story begins with a wedding...

Summer '87

2011-03-02T20:12:00.000-08:00

This is me in summer '87 (I was three!) My favourite game was drawing people walking in the street, watching them from the balcony :D

During these days I'm working on Kill the Granny Comedy Collection with other good artists, can't wait to see my first book, printed, in my hands! <3 I'm so excited!

Illustration Friday: Sweater

2011-02-14T08:04:00.000-08:00

Still trying vintage colors!

For Illustration Friday theme: Sweater! :)

Finished version:

Click for full view!

Vector version (unfinished)

Fairy Kiss : Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-08T12:24:00.000-08:00

This is my illustration for "Io disegno a modo mio" (weekly theme: "Kiss")
this piece will be exhibited in Sanremo (Italy) in May and it will be on sale

Click for full size view (highly recommended!)

Detail

Tex!

2011-01-31T16:23:00.000-08:00

Io Disegno a Modio Mio.
"Tex" is the theme for this week.
I tried to make a Tex on my vision :D
A kid playing!
Click for full view

NOMILKshake - They Draw and Cook

2011-01-29T17:19:00.000-08:00

I decided to draw some recipes for They Draw and Cook a few months ago but I did it just now.. here's my yummy (no)milkshake, sweet and fresh!
I think vintage 50's colors are quite good with this kind of drawings :D
click for full view (recommended!)

Work in Progress&Details:

Vector before Photoshop

Walking on Sunset

2011-01-27T18:31:00.000-08:00

Waiting for the spring... I love walking on sunset during spring, after a storm.
For my new header. The new mairim.net is not ready though :)
Full view is highly recommended. Click on the image :)

Illustration Friday: Dusty

2011-01-26T11:46:00.000-08:00

When I red this theme I thought about kids playing in a dusty attic :D
Illustration Friday

Better on full view! Click!

Detail - full view is better. click on the image:

Who's there? :D

2011-01-19T23:37:00.000-08:00

My illustration for Kill the Granny (characters from the 2d comic book!) ...
just finished!

Click for full view ! :)

A detail! :)

Fanart of Paolo Petrangeli

2011-01-17T11:52:00.000-08:00

I decided to draw a fanart of "L'Eremita IX" by my friend Paolo Petrangeli. He's an extremely talented painter. This is his Page. :)

Twitter

2011-01-16T12:02:00.000-08:00

Quick logo for my Twitter Link :) Are you on Twitter too?

Dino Mug :D

2011-01-16T07:05:00.000-08:00

Yay! My mug has arrived! It features one of my simpler design, a silly dinosaur :B

It's so cute! And I have a lot of mugs on my Zazzle Shop, don't forget it! :)

Here comes the sun :)

2011-01-15T14:21:00.000-08:00

A portrait of me for "Blue theme" on Io Disegno a Modo Mio.
The bright blue of the sky when the rain has gone away.
I want optimism... I portraited myself with an open umbrella but then I decided to be in a sunny day and mood! :)
Hope you like it, I wanted a more colorful graphic.

The sketch under the vector! :D

Tea!

2011-01-14T12:24:00.000-08:00

Tea rose, Ambrosia apple and biscuits :)

Silly Dinosaurs...are silly. :B

2011-01-12T20:46:00.000-08:00

One of my resolutions for this year is drawing unusual objects,animals,buildings...
such as dinosaurs. I didn't know drawing dinosaurs is so funny! I want draw them in silly colours!

This is quite silly. He's a t-rex but he seems quite frightened...

Illustration Friday: Déja Vu

2011-01-12T05:15:00.000-08:00

"Hey,every time the same old story!"

I still love stealing the sweet mix while my mom or my boyfriend bake cakes for me :D

click for full view! :)

Editorial...find the word :D

2011-01-08T13:15:00.000-08:00

Happy new year!!!
I'm preparing some editorial illustrations for school books.
these are "find the words" :D each illustration contains a word in it (Italian)

Scoiattolo (squirrel)

click for full view!

Primavera (Spring)

Click for full view!

Illustration Friday: Resolutions

2011-01-01T07:20:00.000-08:00

My first resolution for this year? Eating healty food :D
For Illustration Friday

Beatrix Potter

2010-12-30T16:01:00.001-08:00

a tribute to Beatrix Potter !
click for full view :)

Illustration Friday: Winter

2010-12-27T12:59:00.000-08:00

I'm not very sporty but I love sweet stuff :D

Click for full view! :)

In the sky

2010-12-24T16:04:00.000-08:00

One of the greatest desires children usually have is flying in the sky with the stars :)
Happy Holidays,thanks for all your support!
Morena

A simple and special project :)

2010-12-23T16:32:00.000-08:00

I decided to join this cute project "Io disegno a modo mio" (which means "I draw in my way" in Italian).

There are two "equipe" in this project: The Minds and The Hands.
The Minds will choose every week a subject (not a theme,as Illustration Friday does) and I am an internal contributor (Hand), so I had to draw "my hand" to join the project. Here it is :)
It could be my real hand you know?
I have a magic wand in my room, I swear. :D

Illustration Friday: Mail

2010-12-21T16:35:00.000-08:00

I was making a simple illustration for this theme: MAIL
bud suddenly I started to want something Victorian so here it is ^^
I love working with silouhettes.

click for full view!

Illustration Friday: Phenomenon

2010-12-15T13:33:00.000-08:00

Rainbows always fascinate me :)
illustration friday topic is "phenomenon"

click on this image for full view!

iPhone Wallpaper Xmas Pack

2010-12-14T12:56:00.000-08:00

Here it is! :)
these design are also available on my Zazzle shop as cards , postcards, pins/buttons,magnet, posters.

Click here to download the full pack from my DeviantArt Account :)

My two first calendars :)

2010-12-14T06:26:00.000-08:00

Margaret Fountaine - printed with glitters

Amelia Earhart - printed with glitters

Little gift for an artsy friend :D

2010-12-13T15:55:00.000-08:00

"Fare la coda da pavone" (having a peacock tail) means "to be vane and very satisfied about ourself" so I made this cute portrait for an artsy friend, Alessandra Fusi :D

She's just presented "Tessie" at Salon of Montreuil in Paris the last week. So happy for her!
Don't miss her amazing gallery!

Illustration Friday: Sneaky

2010-11-20T11:20:00.000-08:00

My entry for IF theme "Sneaky"

Sketchbook Project : the first sketch :D boots!

2010-11-09T16:15:00.000-08:00

First quick drawing for Sketchbook Project!

Oh <3
I love rainy items. Raincoats, hats, umbrellas, and especially, boots.
Baby boots :D

Sketched in 10 minutes while I was chatting at the telephone with my boyfriend :D
Acrylic,coloured pencils,watersoluble pencils, pastels,pen.
I missed sketching a lot. It's so relaxing.

Sketchbook Project : start!

2010-11-08T07:32:00.000-08:00

Yay!
After one month, my Moleskine for the Sketchbook Project is finally here. I started drawing and painting the cover.
The chosen theme is "it's raining cats and dogs"!

Starting with the acrylic layer :D

Adding coloured pencils,pastels,pen,glitters,charcoal

sparkling detail :D

An envelope from France...

2010-11-06T15:30:00.000-07:00

From Adolie Day!

Merci merci merci! :)

She's a great digital artist I admire her so much. I translated in Italian from French her F.A.Q and she's been so kind she sent me these beautiful product by lamarelle with her lovely designs. Amazing!

Morena Forza Children's Illustrator

Illustration Friday: Highlight

My Hansel and Gretel Book is finished: the best images!

Happy Holidays!!!

My illustration has been selected for Tapirulan Catalogue and Exhibit2012

Illustration Friday - Round

An ugly drawing before for a beautiful drawing later (ENG-ITA)

Hansel and Gretel - Cover!

Hansel and Gretel - Color experiment

"On the borders of a dark forest, far away, there once lived two little children called Hansel and Gretel."

Hansel and Gretel character design- From studies to the final image

My first giveaway: WINNERS! Are you there?

Wizardry :)

House of spirits... doodle/sketch and final illustration

1000 fans GIVEAWAY starts!!!

My first GIVEAWAY!

Make a wish! :)

Halloween Memory Game! Printable Kit

Illustration Friday - FEROCIOUS

A wolf in sheep's clothing

The 12 dancing princesses - My first interactive book is available to download!

Animals and ... privacy?! :D

New Bookmarks: Mini Jewel Collection...so precious!

Bookmarks "Basic Collection"

The Secret Garden

My first children's magazine cover :)

Working on my Cheap Collection Glittery Bookmarks

Halloween Invitation - Printables!!!

BOO! My alloween Products!

Working on "The Secret Garden"

Five for Silver, Six for Gold

Libri illustrati vintage (e fumetti), libri d'Arte cercano casa (ITALIAN ONLY) regalo e vendo

Working with silouhettes (ENG - ITA)

The twelve dancing princesses: a very important lesson

My sweet book is finished...yay!

Designers studio for children

Having fun with a boring theme :)

Incubus - From dream to nightmare

House of Spirits

Little Journalists

The London Giraffe

Digital pastels

Color experiments: pastel and vintage tones for the same illustration

New style research and magazine illustration

Digital colors on pencil

Rapunzel Book: finished!

Rapunzel and her prince Sketch and Finished illustration

The prince discovered the Tower (sketch+illustration)

Rapunzel Mug

Illustration Friday: Shadows

Rapunzel Book: work in progress

Working on Rapunzel interactive book

Kids Creativity

Kill the Granny - En français!

Immaginaria - Sanremo (Exhibit+Festival)

Bluebells

Illustration Friday: Lesson

Illustration Friday: Journey

Hands Help Japan

Illustration Friday: Bottled

Torino Comics: I signed many copies of my first publication!

A very special ladybug!

Ask me anything

Illustration Friday: Toy

Are you on Twitter?

Cultivate your dreams -wallpapers (for PC and iPhone!)

Art Theft: where inspiration ends and copy begins

Illustration Friday "Cultivate"

Charity Exhibit for our beloved friends :)

Russian Animation - love it!

Clair de Lune

Kill the Granny work in progress

Summer '87

Illustration Friday: Sweater

Fairy Kiss : Happy Valentine's Day!

Tex!

NOMILKshake - They Draw and Cook

Walking on Sunset

Illustration Friday: Dusty

Who's there? :D

"On the borders of a dark forest, far away,
there once lived two little children called Hansel and Gretel."